Dent: Walking and Local History

Dent brings walking opportunities and local history together in one trip. The Dales Way runs through the valley near the village towards Sedbergh, while Flintergill offers a focus of its own, with woodland and walking trails. St Andrew's Church, memorials and the Heritage Centre add historical themes to the mix. If you are looking for a hotel in Dent, you can plan your stay around whether walking, local history or an event date is your priority.

Walking and landscape

The Dales Way runs through the valley near the village of Dent towards Sedbergh. The Flintergill Outrake Nature Trail is a linear walking route about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and ends at a topographic viewpoint. From Dent, an unusual ascent of Whernside is also possible via the medieval Craven Way packhorse track. These routes provide different points of reference for planning: on the Dales Way, the route towards Sedbergh matters; on the Outrake Trail, the approximate length and endpoint are key; and the ascent via the Craven Way combines the walk with a historical route.

A walking trail leads from Dent up behind the village through Flintergill. The ancient woodland lies on the steep valley side behind Dent Village. A geological formation exposed by a waterfall has influenced the woodland's vegetation. For those interested in natural history as well as the route, this combination of geology and plant life offers another perspective on Flintergill.

Building history and remembrance

St Andrew's Church in Dent dates from the 12th century; parts of the building are thought to be of Norman origin. The south aisle contains five original box pews from the 17th century. The church also has altar floor slabs made of black Dent Marble. This brings together medieval architectural history and furnishings from later centuries.

A memorial fountain in Dent commemorates the geologist Professor Adam Sedgwick. The Dent War Memorial commemorates 19 local soldiers who fell in the First World War. After the Second World War, the names of four more men who fell in that conflict were added. The two memorials mark different themes: the fountain commemorates a figure from the history of science, while the memorial remembers those who fell in two wars.

The Old Grammar School is said to have been founded by James I; the building itself probably dates from the early 18th century. Today, it is a private residence. The founding tradition and the probable date of construction point to different historical periods.

Craft and seasonal events

The Dent Village Heritage Centre, Woolshed and Tearoom tells the story of the “Terrible Knitters of Dent”. The centre is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00; check the opening hours again before your visit. The Dentdale Music & Beer Festival takes place in Dent every year in June and attracts many visitors. If you are planning your trip around it, check the dates for the relevant edition in advance.

Discover more destinations: Crosby Garrett, Staveley, Aspatria, Mealsgate, Waterhead, Flookburgh, Silecroft, Crook.

For the broader travel overview: Cumbria.